Single station range light apparatus



Oct. 2, 1951 MacKAY SINGLE STATION RANGE LIGHT APPARATUS 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 18, 1947 0d. 2, 1951 J R MacKAY 2,570,137

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Oct. 2, 1951 J. R. M KAY SINGLE STATION RANGE LIGHT APPARATUS 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fild April 18, 1947 LONG 57-54 FLA L/Gl-IT Oct. "2, 1 951 R, MacKAY 2,570,137

' SINGLE STATION RANGE LIGHT APPARATUS Filed April 1 1947 e Sheets-Sheet 4 far/em?- Joza R.Mac1 iay 55/ fbwa Oct. 2, 1951 J. MacKAY 2,570,137

SINGLE STATION RANGE LIGHT APPARATUS Filed April 18, 1947 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fig.1?

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SINGLE STATION RANGE L IGHT APPARATUS Filed April 18, 1947 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 Oct. 2, 1951 MacKAY 2,570,137

SINGLE STATION RANGE LIGHT APPARATUS Filed April 18, 1947 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 I 'h- 11/1/11/11/11 1 1, I 0/ Invenio? Jon fLMaclfay Oct. 2, 1951 Filed April 18, 1947 J. R. M KAY SINGLE STATION RANGE LIGHT APPARATUS 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 mgm iiz Patented Oct. 2, 1951 SINGLE STATION RANGE LIGHTAPPARATUS John R. MacKay, Packanack Lake, N. J assignor to Wallace & Tiernan lroducts,,lnc., Belleville, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application April 18, 19475,. S rial. NQ-z, 4. 1451 15 Claims. 1

My--present invention relatesto a single station range light apparatus for indicating to an observer his position in respect to the center of a predetermined chamuel, whether that channel beo'ver land, water or in the air, and also to a method of accomplishing these purposes.

Conventional range light practice, which has been used for a considerable time in assisting navigators to locate themselves in the use of a waterway, suchas ariver orthe entrance to a harbor, consists in providing a pair of lights to mark the channel, these lights being in horizontal alignment with the channel but with the rear light usually placed;- higher than the front light and a considerable distance in-back of it, so that the navigator can use the range by keeping the lights vertically in line as he progresses into and along the desired channel. In order to prevent the lights. from blending together and appearing as a single light, the vertical distance be tween the lights must be considerable. Furthermore, in, order that the indication to an observer be sufficiently sensitive, the horizontal distance separating the lights must be considerable, often in the neighborhood of one-quarter to one-half a mile.

. In many instances, it is impractical or too expensive to provide lighted, ranges of the conventional type aforesaid. For example, sometimes high cliffs or river banks close to a waterway prevent the installation of a rear range light as the intervening high land would make it invisible to ships navigating the channel. In other cases, there is no, land or other structure available on whicheither a front or a rear light can be; installed. At times the site, which would be used for the erection oi the rear range light, is in a cityor on,.property, the rental or purchase of which would be prohibitivein cost.

Because of the above difficulties, as well as others, there has been a definite, unfilled demand for asing-lestation range light, i. e., a light or group of lights, which are-all installed at one location, and which will give the navigator an accurate indication as to whether or not he is ina prescribed channel or waterway, and, if he is. off his course, the direction in which he should steer his. vessel in order to return to the desired course or channel. The fulfilling of this demand isa primary, general object of thepresent in" vention.

Some attempts have been made to solve this problem by the use of different coloredlights; These attempts have, however, not been completely: satisfactoryfor several, reasons. A further object 01" the, present. invention, thereiore. is. toprovide a single station range light appa=.- ratus-and-method, which is independent of color.

It has been found, inthe development of the subject matter to which the present invention pertains, that. a characteristic series. of intermittent periods of illumination is easily perceptible to the naked eye and serves efficiently to indicate to an observer the information intended to be conveyed. Thus a primary feature. of the present method is to provide to an observer. different programmed characteristic. periods of, light. and darkness peculiar to the two. sides, respectively of the desired. channel, 50- that by. a. rapid observation, an observer or navigator can. quickly ascertain. on which side. of the center of the predetermined channel he. is located at. any instant.

By providing complementary. characteristics of light and darknessrespectively on the oppo, site sides of the channel, 1; e.,.by. having one beam. of light. directed down, one. side of the. channel and a, beam oilightdirected down he other side, and suitably programming the periods of illumination and. interveningperiods ofdarkness for each beam, then having the beams directed so. that they will overlap, and further by providing that the periods. oi illumination down one, side will correspond substantially to the periods of. darkness on the otherrespectively, a

, central zone will be-provided, in which an ob- Se will 56% te dy light. This central zone is a. preferred channel which is, normally intended for use. If, then the characteristics on opposite sides of this steadylight. zone. are difierent, for example a seriesof dots or relatively short lighted periods on the one side and a series of dashes or. relatively long lighted periods on the other, an observer.- may quickly determine his location in respecteto, the center of the. channel. The provision of this method of illumination and. apparatus providing. it are. further principal, objects of the present invention.

As a particular method of working out the re:

sults generally mentioned above, it has been found, and is set forth in detail hereinafter, that if a single,- light source be used: in: con-junction with light. beam directingmeans effective to. swing the beambetween terminal positions, re: spectively on opposite sides of the center of the channel, theresults. described above can be satise factorily attained. The. provision of apparatusv for efiecting this resultinvarious feasible ways is a further and more specific, object of the pres. ent invention.

' sid .of thechannel, to the other.

It has further been found that apparatus of the type aforesaid may be provided with means for controlling the lateral spread of the beam, which in conjunction with a control of the position and amplitude of the oscillation of the beam can be used to predetermine the outside safe limits of the channel by limiting the sector of illumination to safe portions of the channel. It can also be used to predetermine the angular width of the central portion thereof either by providing an overlap of the beams on the opposite sides of the center and thus providing the zone in which an observer will see a steady light as aforesaid,

or, when the apparatus uses but a single light source which is oscillated from side to side, by providing an intervening zone between the beam areas on opposite sides of the channel, in which intervening zone an observer will merely see a quick flash as the beam is oscillated from one The provisions of the above as to method and as to particularapparatus forcarrying it out are further more detailed objects of the present invention.

Among the more specific objects of the present invention are to provide light beam moving means effective to swing a beam from side to side as aforesaid according to a predetermined programming schedule, which is repeated during successive equal intervals of time. From a broadpoint of view, such programming and operating means maybe actuated by any substantially constant speed prime mover. It. may take the form, as hereinafter set forth, of a cam-operated mechanism strictly mechanical throughout and preferably including a toggle ov-er-center-throw mechanism, by which the oscillating portions of the apparatus are caused to dwell for substantial and predetermined periods at .each end of theirpath of movement and to move from one end to the other with a relatively rapid motion. It may alsoinclude a prime mover operated programming means arranged to control electrically energizable solenoids, preferably in conjunction withholding. means. of a magnetic character, so arranged that power to the respective solenoids may be, supplied by a programming switch mechanism andthe oscillating portions or mechanism otthe light beam directing means be retained at its terminal positions respectively by the magnetic holding Orretaining means whenever the solenoids are not energized; The solenoid operated arrangement hereinafter described may also be used in conjunction witha toggle mechanism in lieu of magnetic holding means. The provision of apparatus for accomplishing these several purposes.constitutesfurther detailed objects of the present invention. V It hasalso been found in conjunction with the development aforesaid that light beam directing means associated with a source of light will include basically as elements a reflecting mirror of some desired contour, usually parabolic, and some suitable lens means. In the event a parabolic reflector is used,.the lens means need only beprovidedto serve thepurpose of controlling the spread of the beam. By various arrangements, of oscillating one of these three elements, i. e. the light source, the mirror and the lens means, in respect to the other two, or sometimes oscillating two with respect to the other one, the light beam may bedirected as desired. The provision of ,various practical arrangements for effecting such oscillatory movement of a light beam for the purposes generally hereinabove set forth are further specific objects of the present invention.

Other and more detailed objects of the present invention will appear in the following detailed specification and will be pointed out in the appended claims, when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a view principally in side elevation of a range light apparatusin accordance with the present invention, a part of the casing being broken away to show the interior construction, this form being one in which a mechanical overcenter-throw toggle type oscillating means is used to oscillate the mirror reflector only;

Fig. 2 is a view of the apparatus of Fig. 1, taken substantially in plan, with a part of the housing broken away to show the interior construction;

Fig. 3 is a view of the apparatus of Fig. 1 substantially in end elevation as seen from the right in Figs. 1 and 2 and with portions of the housing broken away to show the interior construction;

Figs. 4 and 5 are fragmentary detail views in plan, illustrating the operation of certain of the oscillatory means for the apparatus of Figs. 1 to 3;

rangement in which the oscillation is effected directly by the cam without the intermediation of the over-center-throw toggle mechanism;

Fig. 7 is a detailed view substantially in vertical section on the line '|1 of Fig. 6; V

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a means by which a lampchanger as shown in Fig. 1 may be substantially universally adjusted as to position within predetermined limits;

Figs. 9 and 10 are vertical sectional detailed views of the subject matter of Fig. 8, taken on the lines 9-9 and l9l0respectively of Fig. 3;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary detailed view partly in elevation and partly in vertical section of a portion of the construction of Figs. 8 to 10;

Fig. 12 is a wiring diagram with some of the operating mechanisms shown diagrammatically illustrating the electrical operation of the apparatus of the preceding figures;

Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic illustration showing the illuminated areas for the two beam positions when there is an over-lap of these beams at a central zone;

Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 13 illustrating the illumination characteristics when the beam areas are spaced apart;

Figs. 15 and 16 are views corresponding respectively to Figs. 1 and 2, but showing a modified form of the invention in which the mirror-reflector is oscillated by a pair of opposed solenoids;

Fig. 17 is a detailed view showing some of the mechanism of Figs. 15 and 16 and particularly illustrating the magnetic holding means for preventing movement of the mirror-reflector when both solenoids are de-energized;

Fig. 18 is a wiring diagram similar to that of Fig. 12, but pertaining to the form of the invention of Figs. 15 to 17; V

Figs. 19 and 20 are respectively an elevational view with parts in section and a plan View of a further modified form of the invention wherein the light source is oscillated, the mirror-reflector and lens means being held stationary; 7

Figs. 21 and 22 are views generally respectively similar to those of Figs. 19 and 20, but showing a further modified form of the invention in which the light source and the mirror-reflector are held stationary but the lens means is oscillated;

Figs. 23 and 24 are a further pair of views similar in general to Figs. 19 and 20, respectively,

Fig. 6 is a detail view in plan, similar to Figs. 4 and 5, but showing a somewhat modified ar-" narrower but showing; aform ofthe inventioncinrwhichz the lightssource is held. stationary and the mirrorw reflector" andilens; means; are: simultaneously and bodily oscillated? i'nqrespectto the light. source Fig; 25:is a fragmentary View, principally. in plan, illustrating a further form of. the. invention, includingmeans for changingthe direction of the light beam at substantially a: right angle within therrange lightapparatus: and;

Fig. 26. is a fragmentary view, principally in el'evationof many ofthe parts shown in Fig1 25.

Referring'first to Fig. 1 a. singlestation range lightiapparatus. is indicated generallyat I.,; this apparatus being elfective to direct. a beam. designated 2 down the right side of the: chanel asseen in the drawing-andia beam designated 3- down. the left: side thereof. result may be produced either by one or'two sources. of light, suitable l-ight directingrmeans being; associated with the light: source or sources; so" as to; produce the desired: result as generally shown in Fig. 13.. If then. the beam. 2' is so programmed, for example, as to give a succession-of short flashes and the beam. 3 to give a: succession of long flashes, a person in the area illuminated by the beam 2 indicated by the area with broken hatch lines will know that he. ison theright side generally of the'zcenter of the channel, while a person in the area-sci the beam 3 wherein the hatching is made with continuous lines will know that he is on the other or left side of the channel.

As" shown, the beam areas overlap one another irra central zone 4. If then the periods of illumination in the area 2 are made in effect the reverse of or complementary to those in the area of the beam 3, a person located anywhere in the zone dwill see a substantially steady light. This is so whether the range light apparatus uses one ormore sources of light, at least from any reasonable distance therefrom, as two. lights located close together will merge to the eye into a single spot of light at any substantial distance.

The. lateral borderlines of the zones 2- and 4 of 13 are in. practice not. usuallyexactly sharp li nesyso that the borders ofthe intermediate zone 7 [are not usually in practice sharply defined. As a result an observer at the center of the channel, i.e-.: of the zone 4, will see a steady light" as aforesaid. As. such observer moves laterally in one direction or the other, he will commence to see the. light characteristics of thezone 2: or 3,. respectively, superimposed upon a continuous high intensitybackground' of light. This modulation becomes more pronounced asthe edges of the zone of continuous light are approached. If the observer continues to diverge from the center of. the channel into the portions: of. the zone 2 or 3 not included in the overlap zone 4, the clearcut. light interval characteristics of the zone 2 or 3. are apparent, there being a progressively less'background of continuous or residual light. Thiswas demonstrated in practice by a small model constructed in general in accordance with the invention as herein disclosed and which operated on the same principle and wherein at a. distance of about /2 mile from the light, an observer located at the center of the channel, i. e. corresponding to the center of zone 4, saw a steady light, while movement 5 or 6 feet. laterally in either direction resulted in theappearance of a characteristic indication depending upon the direction of such lateral movement. At about 20 to 30 feet one side or the other of the center, the characteristics of the lateral zone of light became distinct andclear-cut.

Thiszlights modulation. is. valuable: in that: it notifies-. an observer of his: departure. from the center light position long before he reaches the edges of. the steady light zone shown. at 4: in" 13. The same effect is apparent when, the beams 2; and 3 are given substantial lateral spread; so that the zone 4 is of substantial angular dimensions.

As. above stated, there are particularly. dis:- closed hereinabove complementary flash char; acteristics including a series of intermittent dots (code letter E) on oneside of the channel area, and a. series of dashes (code letter T) on the other; side thereof. This combination is. usually preferable. It is contemplated, however, in accordance. with the present invention, that any different characteristic intermittent periods of illumination be provided on the opposite. sides of the channel which will be preferably complementary to .one another. Another such. example of this type of programming could be to provide asucces sion of flashes corresponding to the code letter A. on one side (dot-dash or short flash-long dash) and code letter N on the other side (dashdot or long flash-short flash). Another possible combination would be to provide flashes corresponding to the code letter K on one side (dash.- dot-dash or long flash-short flash-long flash) and code letters I-T on the other side (dot, dot-dash 01 two short flashes, long flash). Any feasible combination of different. characteristics of flashes such as. those herein suggested and others which will occur to those skilledin the art may be employed within. the purview of the. present invention.

By suitable lens and reflector apparatus com.- binations, the spread of the beams 2 and 3 may be controlled. A practical method of accomplishing it will however be set forth hereinafter. By controlling the. spread in conjunction. with the direction of the two beams 2 and 3, two things can be accomplished. First, the total illuminated sector can be determined as to the outside dimen+ sions thereof considered in angular degrees; and second, the angular extent .of the overlap zone .4 can be determined. Normally the zone 4-will be predetermined in angular width an-dposition. by the preferred portion of the channel intended for use.

While the results illustrated in Fig. 13 may be accomplished by two light beam providing means, each of which is stationary, it is preferred, in accordance with the present invention, to obtain these results by the use of a single light source with which is associated a means for laterally swinging the beam of light therefrom. The light from this source is usually concentrated ina relatively narrow beam of predetermined spread by light directing means including a mirror-reflector with or without lens means. In certain cases, however, such as a wide harbor entrance, or where the confines of an anchorage or other relatively large area is being marked, the. beam used may be. quite wide, possibly extending over a sector. of 10 to 23 or more. If then there be some means. for oscillating the. necessary elements of these means so as rapidly to change the direction of the beam, the results illustrated in Fig. 13 will be attained. Under the circmnstances, it. is pos; sible to provide an. area as shown for the beaml in; which an observer will see a series of dots, and an area asshown. for the beam 3 wherein the. ob.- serverwil see. a series of dashes, while in. the zone 4 the observer will see asubstantially steady light independent of the oscillation ofthe beam.

1 Referring now to Fig. 14 there is illustrated diagrammatically a variant of the arrangement of Fig. 13 in which a beam area indicated by the series of vertical narrow figures represents a right-hand beam, and a beam area 6 shown as a series of vertically wide figures represents a left-hand beam, the areas 5 and 6 not overlapping in the middle. As a result there will be a central zone 'I' in which an observer will merely see a quick flash of light each time the beam is oscillated from one side to the other. This quick fiash in both directions is represented by the pairs of vertically very narrow figures. Vertical distances in this figure represent the durations of the periods of illumination. Here again the outside angular dimensions of the beam areas 5 and 6 maybe made to conform to the dimensions of the channel, then the spread of the beam, in this case singular as there is but one source of light, can be adjusted to provide a central zone "I of a selected angular Width.

The provision of illuminating methods according to either Fig. 13 or 14 and whether effected by a single or multiple light source is to be considered within the purview of the present invention. Apparatus for providing illumination using a multiple source of light is illustrated and particularly described and claimed in my co-pending application Ser. No. 770,072, filed August 22, 1947. The present application is particularly described to cover these two embodiments of the invention generically and cover specifically that embodiment wherein but a single light source is used.

Referring now to Figs 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings, there is illustrated a range light apparatus, the housing and bodily adjust ments of which may be considered the same for all forms of the invention with the possible excep tion of slight changes in the dimensions and conformation of the housing which may be necessary to accommodate certain different mechanism.

The single station range light apparatus generally designated at l is intended to be mounted 'upon any suitable support as that diagrammatically shown at 8, by securin an under basc portion 9 of the apparatus I to the support 8 by a plurality of suitable means as bolts I ll. Centrally of the base 9 is an upwardly directed screw stud II passing through an aperture in a lower'base member I2 and provided with a suitable nut I3 to secure the bases 9 and I2 together. As it may be desired to efiect a relatively fine angular adjustment between the bases 9 and I2, the under base 9 is provided with a laterally extending arm I4- into which is threaded a bolt I5 passing through an arcuate slot I6 in a lateral extension of the lower base I2 (Figs. 2 and 3). In this way the lower base I2 and all the upper parts carried thereby as hereinafter set forth may be angularly adjusted about the vertical axis of the stud I I and this adjustment secured by the bolt I5 and the nut I3.

At its right hand end as seen in Fig. 1 the lower base member I2 is provided with a pair of upstanding hinge elements I! into which extend the inner smooth ends of a pair of threaded pintle bolts I8 as best seen in Fig. 3. These bolts are threaded in alignment with one another through depending extensions I9 of a lower housing member 20. This lower housing member cooperates with an upper housing member 2I secured thereto by mating flanges and a plurality of bolts as indicated at 22 to house the operating parts of the range light apparatus.

Means are provided for controlling the angular 8 position of the housing members 20 and. 2 Iv in re.-' spect to the base member I2 about the common axis of the pintlebolts I8. For this purpose the base member I2 is provided with a pair of upstanding lugs 23 having inclined surfaces as shown at 24 in a common plane. The underside of the bottom portion or wall 25 of the housing member 20 is provided with a similar pair of depending lugs 23 having inclined surfaces 21 also in a common plane. Arranged to engage the surfaces 24 and 27 is a laterally disposed bar 28 through which is threaded a bolt 29. This bolt has an inner smaller diameter threaded portion 30 reversely threaded in respect to the portion threaded through the bar 28, this inner portion being threaded through a pintle SI which is carried by a pair of upstanding lugs 32 rigid or integral :with the base member I2.

Thus upon rotation of the bolt 29 in. one direction or the other the distance between the axis of the pintle 3| and that of the bar 28 may be varied at will. As the bar 28 is moved to the right as seen in Fig. 1, it acts upon the surfaces 24 and 21 to wedge them apart, thus tilting the entire housing 202I clockwise about the pintle bolts I8 and serving to adjust the beams downwardly. This adjustment when made may be secured by a pair of swing bolts 33 pivoted at their lower ends on a substantially horizontal axis as indicated at 34 to rearwardly extending lugs carried by the base member I2 and passing between the bifurcations of lugs 35 carried by the lower housing member 20, suitable nuts 35 being threaded on the swing bolts 33 and. tending upon being tightened to move the housings 2U2I in a counter-clockwise direction about the pintle bolts I8. From the above it will now be obvious that by suitably loosening the nuts 36, the angle of the beam can be vertically adjusted by the bolt 29 and the adjustment secured by tightening the nuts 36. The construction above described is arranged for initial adjustment upon the installation'of the device as a whole at a particularpoint who're it is to be used. In order to permit of accurate alignment of the range light apparatus I with the channel with which it is to be used, 'a sight tube 31 may be provided along one side as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, this sight tube being supported by one or more suitable brackets 38 from the lower housing member 20 and containing either telescope means or simply a peep hole and pair of cros s hairs spaced therefrom. The sight tube 31 is mounted on the housing parallel with the center line thereof so that this will be normally pointed down the center of the desired channel substantially in alignment with the center of the zone 4 illustrated in Fig. 13. The several adjustments previously described may the n be made in order to assure that the apparatus is properly pointed. If desired, this sight tube if in the form of a telescope, maybe made removable, so as to prevent damage thereto during the subsequent useof the apparatus. v The housing formed by. members 20 and H is provided with a suitable window, usually of plain glass as shown at39, Fig. 2, which is suitably sealed in place by an annular. retaining ring 40 bolted to the upper housing. member 2|, so as to protect the mechanism within the housing from damage by weather or other causes.

Inside the housing 202I is a light beam providing means which consists basically of three elements; first, a source of light here shown as an electric light bulb 4|; second, a mirrorreflector 42 which in most cases'will be parabolic in .form and, third, a lens :means generally indicated at 43;

In the form shown in Figs. 1-3 ,the source of light, which is being used at any one time, will be located with its center of illumination substantially at the iocal point of the parabolic mirror 42 so that the rays reflected from the mirror will be substantially ,parallel. In practice it is preferred to employ .a light shield in conjunction with each ,light source as shown for example by the shield I60 associated with the several bulbs 4| and 50 in Figs. 1 and 2. Such a shield may be made of relatively thin sheet metal and be arranged for spring gripping engagement with the light socket. The purpose of these shields .is to prevent substantially all .light other than that which impinges upon the reflector .from becoming visible to an observer. Without the use of -such--;shields, a considerable :amount of light :may be reflected from the in- ;terior surfaces of the :housing and mechanisms contained therein, which produces :what may .be called residual light. This residual light is .visible to an observer and tends to prevent the transmission of ;a .clearccut signal as from an -.off -.course position by providing .a background :of continuous light .and thereby :reducing the contrast.

.The .lens .means :shown :comprises a pair of :lenses .44 "and 45, which are mounted in .frames :as shown and .are reach .eindependently removable :and replaceable. In general, each of .these lens .means, for example the .lenslmeans "4.4, is of such character as 1170. provide. a predetermined spread of the beam (in a certain direction as .vertical, .while the otherlens means, asthelens :means 45, is arranged. to .provide .a predeterminedspread of the beam .irralateral direction. These lenses each uconsist of a .singlebody of glass .or other lens-.formingmaterial having one face formedas :a i plurality :of substantially .cylindrical surfaces ojf predetermined radii of curvature i so -as to provide :the desired spread in a direction perpendicular :t,o--the axes of the cylindrical surfaces. -Such =lenses may be procured commercially so that per se they form no part of the present invention. T-he selection of the proper type lenses for useto' give-predetermined selected =vertica'l and lateral spreads is, however, an element of: the combination of the present invention. In this -;way by-selecting a lens giving a desired .verticalv spread, :it :is possible in conjunction with .the angular :adrjustment or the apparatus .1 .bythe .bolt .29 to .compensate for the vertical rheight of :the location of the range light-apparatus I in respect .to aggiven water channel or for other similar purposes. In installations where the desired beam divergence is known; and will be unchanged in use, the spread light lens used for effecting a desired spread of the beam may be used as the front lens ,39 and the lens .means 44--45 and'the structureused insupportthereof eliminated. Such a construction increasesthe eniciencyor thelight'tosome extent .as transmis- 'sion losses occasioned by the plain glass window are' eliminated.

Another possibility, particularly adaptable to a situation Where the desiredspreadsinverti- "cal and lateral directions are *bot-hk-nown, is to-combine in o, single lens the characteristics a'iiording such predetermined spreads. *Such lenses-are known to the-art=and-could be used 'either .aas =a substitute for the lenses- 44 45 in be desired cvithia irestricteddateralspread. .Such

fiicQmbillatienlis possible with (the appara u .disclosed. on the other .hand a wid a eral spread :is desired, it loan belobtained .110 DMQ s stan ia y lany angular .izone reasonably .to be metin practice.

As above .generallylsetifcrth it has been found :possible ;to oscillate the beam betwee its ;.tW.. laterally .ofiset positions p eferab y by movin one or two of the three rbeemcdirectin me n in :respect totheotheroriothersthereof. fljhissame result vcould @150 be effecte for xampl by oscilia-ting the entire lie ht lbeamprovid ne means bodily, aas .oscillating itheientire lhousing i 2; .andparts contained therein about some ax s a atheaxis ofqthe studilil. '.The;fo1:m 0i theinven- .tion. shown in Figs. d .tofihrtor example, is a pres ently. preferred .ziorm andiemploys tor the p r- .pose of oscillating tthebeam, the. mechanical .os- 'cillation tor ;the rmirrorereflector .42., th ligh source. and lens means abeinazheldstatiqnary. .lz is usnallyspreferred'iin this-connection hat the oscillation ofithemirrorarefiector be aboutasub- :stantially vertical :aXiS .2111 ali nment ,With the ,iocal point .of the ilfiflfiQtQ! .atwhich the center of illumination ofithezlightsource:is loca e in .this way .themharactcristics {of athebeam are-sub.- stantially :unchanged :by the aosoillation or swing :thereot fromvsidextolside. in other :forms of the invention,ihereinaiterrdescri ed, o her or o her or the three l ght b am provid n -elements ar .moved. .The terms -.,ve ,ti.a1- and horizontal as herein ,used are intendedias relative only and to refer to thes owin of the drawings of a ran e .lightapparatus usedin connection with a water channel. IfJthe apparatus were used for some other purpose ,and at some other attitude or angle, the directions wou1'd"be correspondingly changed.

Turning nowto theformofthe invention particularly shown-in Figsfllto the lens means 44 and 4-5 are mounted unsuitable trames which are-removably secured as by 'bolts -46-f-rcm i ap'ail of bracketsdlywhieh -in turn are-secured to i the lower housing mem'bertasiby 'boltslB. It -will be :understoodi-that :ascan linitlaleior set up adjustment, ortthereafteriif:mecessary, the lenses :1 and 4.5 :mayrhe lremovedtand replaced by others having :desiredisnread rcharact ristic vertica or lateral directions respectively.

While it isfeasible tomrovide-but asingleilight source such the electric .bulb -.4I -,shown, it ;is preferred ;in. commercial installations to provide a plurality of electric .bulbs .mounted on a -suit- .able .lampchan'sing structure. ,The details of this lampchanger apparatusmer :seform no, part ,of the presentginvention,..and. may .f xamp take any desired form; Jfo instance any one ,of those [shown 'in"'jthe, patents ,to'Wallace No. 2-,054',0l3,*Wa1lace '8z MacKayjNo. 2195,3745, Macthat some such structureshould be ;provided, so that in the eVentmf- 'a burnoutof the operating circuit through a motor 60 diagrammatically bulb,the range light apparatus will not be put out of operation. This is important practically as structures of the type herein disclosed are adapted for use in relatively inaccessible positions where they normally receive attention and 1 maintenance but infrequently.

I I As shown in the accompanying drawings, the lampchanger includes a rotor 49carrying a plurality of electric bulbs the operative one of which is shown at 4| and the remainder at 50. The rotor is mounted for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis in respect to a supporting structure 5| which carries a suitable motor, by which the apparatus may be operated when necessary, and the electrical connection means associated therewith. This means is best illustrated in Fig. 12 wherein line wires 52 and 53 are supplied with electric energyfroma battery 54 or other source thereof. under control .of a

master switch 55. Connectionis made across the lines 52-53 to the operating bulb M, in series with which is a solenoidcoil 56 normally energized during the time the bulb 4| is operative and until it burns out. Upon burn-out of the bulb 4| at the operative position, the solenoid coil 56 is de-energized permitting the armature 51 thereof to move by gravity or under the force of a spring (not shown) to-close a circuit between contacts 58 and 59 and thereby. to complete a rotor and to bring another one of the bulbs 50 to g the position of the operative bulb 4|. Suitable means are provided, upon a good bulb attaining this position, for connecting this bulb across the lines 52--53 in series with the solenoid coil 56.

As soon as a good bulb reaches the operative position, a circuit is completed through it and the solenoid coil 56- is energized, so as to open the circuit between contact points 58 and 59 and stop the operation of the motor 66. This is done by providing a contact member as shown at 62, Fig. 3, spring pressed'to engage in any one of a plurality of notches 63 in a drum portion of the rotor 49, in the bottom of each of which notches is a conductorconnected to a bulb which will be at its operative position (as shown for bulb 4|) when the conductoris engaged bythe combined detent and conductor element 62. The other terminal of each bulblis grounded and is always connected to the other side of the line.

forming a part of the rotor 49 of the lampchanger are preferably metallic bands which are located edgewise in respect to the path of the light from the reflector to thelens means previously described, so as to minimize the obstruction of light. v

7 Means are provided for mounting the lampchanger generally indicated at 49-5l so as to provide substantially a limited but universal adjustment for the position of the operating source of light shown as the bulb 4|. By this means the center of illumination ofthe bulb may be adequately adjusted to bring it substantially to the focal point of the mirror-reflector 42. For this purpose the bottom wall 25 of the lower housing member 20 is provided withan upstanding supporting portion 64, Figs. 1 and. 8 to 11. Located 51 The arms holding the sockets and the bulbs and part at 69, Fig. 8. heads of the bolts 68 and the horizontal web of the vertical leg or web of the angle 65.

memberBS which is provided'witha downwardly directed stud 66, Figs. 8and 9, arranged to move in a slot 5'? formed in the portion 64- and directed forwardly and 'rearwardly substantially parallel to the direction of the center line of the beam or that of the channel. The ang1e 65 is retained in place on the portion 64 by a pair of threaded bolts 68 which pass through elongate slots in the horizontal web of the angle, which slots are disposed in a forward and rearward direction, i. e. perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the angle 65. These slots are shown in Disposed intermediate the the angle 65 are compression springs 10 and if desired washers H. The angle 65 is thus resiliently secured to the supporting portion 64.

At its ends the angle 65 is provided with a pair of longitudinally directed slots 12. Passing through these slots are a pair of bolts 13 having capstan heads, as shown, for the insertion of a suitable manipulating tool and further having eccentric portions 14 of substantially the thickness of the horizontal web of the angle 65, these eccentric portions being located in the slots 12. These bolts F3 are suitably threaded into the base portion 64. Thus by rotating the capstan bolts 13 the angle 65 may be moved in a direction parallel with the slot 61, this action taking place if both bolts 13 are rotated in the same direction and amount. Another possible adjustment is one in a horizontal plane about the axis of the stud 66, which may be effected by a difierential movement of the eccentric capstan bolts 13. Any combination of these two movements may be effected within the limits of adjustment afforded by the eccentricity of the portions 14.

Secured to the angle 65 is another angle 15 havingits vertical leg or web secured to the vertical leg or web of the angle 65, and having its other or horizontal leg or web arranged to supportthe structure 5| of the lampchanger. Similar arrangements are provided for adjustment between the angles 65 at 15 as between the angle 65 on the one hand and the supporting portion 64 on the other. For this purpose the vertical le or web of the angle 15 has a vertical slot 15 therein into which projects a stud 11 carried by Bolts 18 are provided corresponding to bolts 68 and similarly provided with compression springs 19 corresponding to springs 10 aforesaid. The bolts 18 pass through vertically elongated slots 8|] in the vertical leg or web of the angle 65 and are threaded into the angle 15 as shown in detail in Fig. 10. 'At its ends the angle 65 has inwardly projecting slots 8| with which cooperate eccentric portions 82 of capstan bolts 83, corresponding to the capstan bolts 13 above described.

By suitable adjustment, either simultaneous or differential, of the capstan bolts 83, the angle 15 may be moved vertically in respect to the angle 65, by simultaneous adjustment of the screws 83', V

or may be tilted in respect to the angle 65 about the center of the stud H, by differential adjustment of the screw-s 83.

v The net result of these adjustments for the supporting means for the lampchanger is that the lampchanger is bodily substantially universally adjustable in three directions within the and supported upon the portion ;64 is an angle :15 limits of the adjustment means provided so as to posit-ion the center of illumination ofthe operating bulb 4-1 at the focal point of the mirror-'- reiiector 42 or at any other particular desired position within the l-imitsof adjustability provided.

A The main operating construction for moving the beam laterally, which in the form of Figs. 4 to 7 is efiective solely to oscillate the mirror-re hector will now be described. Basically thisconstruction serves to support the mirror-reflector 42, so that it is capable of oscillation about a substantially vertical axis as shown in the accompanying "drawings, which axis if extended would passthroug-h the focal point of the mirror, i. e. the point at which the centeroi illumination of the bulb 41 is located.

This-construction-is carried by a suitable base 84 which -may be secured as by bolts 85 to the bottom portion Z5-Of the lower housing member 20. Secured to the base 34 is abra'cket 8B carrying a stationary vertically disposed pin'tle shaft 81, the axis of which is the axis of swing of the oscillating portions of the apparatus, and which axis is below and in vertical alignment with the center of illumination of the bulb 41. Mounted for nee oscillatory movement about the axis "of the pintle shaft 81 is arearwardly extending actuating lever 88, hereinafter more particularly described, which is carried by :a collar 89 surrounding the shaft 81. Above collar *89 is a similar collar 90 carrying the rearwardly extending pointer lever SI and also carrying secured thereto the mirror reflector 42. This construction serves to mount the mirror-reflector for its oscillatory movement as generally hereinabove described.

The rear end of the lever 91 is formed as an indicator pointer as shown at 92, and it may be further provided if desired with 'a suitable index mark for cooperation with a stationary scale 93, which may be suitably graduated in unitsof angular measure, so as to indicate the terminal positions of the swing of the beam which are predetermined and adj-ustably controlled, as more particularly hereinafter described.

Means are provided for limiting the extent or amplitude of the lateral swing of the beam by limiting the angular oscillation of the mirrorrefiector 42 and the lever 91 For this purpose a pair of stop screws 94 and 95 are provided (see Figs. 2, 4, 5 and 6), which are supported by suitable members or brackets 96 carried by the base 84, each stop screw being provided with a usual lock nut for securing the adjustment whenmade. A suitable bumper means I61 may be secured to the lever 91 for engagement with the stop screws 94 and 95. These screws 94 and '55 are in .horizontal alignment with a part of the lever '91 so that one or the other is engaged by this lever at its opposite terminal positions. 'Theangle of the beam may be indicated by the sca1e9f3' cooperating with the rear end 92 of the lever"9l, so as to enable the stop screws 94 and 95 to bearcurately adjusted.

The means for oscillating the lever Fraud the mirror-reflector '42 comprises, in general, two series of mechanism, first an over-center-throw toggle type mechanism'ior -oscillating the lever 9| and the mirror-reflector 'lromthe'lever tt, andpsecond, a motor drivencamtype mechanism for oscillating the lever "88. These mechanisms will be described in the order'named.

The lever 88 is provided "with a toggle j-member 91 pivoted thereto on an axis shown-at 98-and provided with a bumper member-b9. The for- 5 or the toggle member -fl reconnected to pending stud carried by the lever -91 through a tension spring -l'00, it being noted that the depending stud at the left-hand end of the spring l 00,--as seen in Fig. 'l, to the left of the axis K8-forthe toggle member 91 The toggle member 91 is provided with an arcuate slot Hit, the center of which isthe axis 88; and a suitable stud projects from the lever 88 through the slot I'U I ,so as to limit the swinging movement of the toggle member 91 with respect to the lever 88. Suitable adjustable stops 102 and I03 are .provided in upstanding projections from the base "84 cooperating with the bumper member 99 as shown at the upper portion of Fig. 5 and the lower portion of Fig.2 -for limiting the movement and 'fix-i-ng the terminal positions of the parts.

Thus as the lever 88 is moved from the position shown in Fig. 2 through that of Fig. 4 to thatof Fig. 5, the :lever 9| -is swung from its lowermost position in Fig. 2 to its uppermost position in Fig. 5. This action occurs 'as follows: as the ilever 88 moves downwardly or in a counter-clockwise di reetion, the toggle member 9! is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction about the axis 98 by the stop I63. Afterthis movement has progressed asu fiicient distance so that the center line or the spring I00 passes across the line connecting the axis 88 and the ipointof connection of the spring Hm with the toggle 91, the toggle "quickly swings completely to the positionshown in Fig-"5, the spring me now being 'eifective to move'the lever 9| and the mirror-reflector carried thereby quickly from the Fig. 2 position to the Fig. 5 position. In Fig. dis shown an intermediate position of the leV'erB B. At this position of this lever the toggle has not moved over its center so that the lever 9i and the mirror have not changed in position. There will result a rapid movement of the lever 91 from one side to the other ir respective of a relatively slower movement for the le'ver88.

While there is particularly shown and described herein but one type of overcenterthrow toggle mechanism; other types of mechanism for securing substantially the same results have beendesigned and are contemplated fo-r'use, if desired, in lieu of the one particularly disclosed. such other types will occur to those skilled in the art as equivalents of the construction particularly disclosed and are to be considered within the purviewof the presentinvention.

For-oscillating the lever 88 to effect movement of the mirror as aforesaid, there is provided as shown in Figs. 1 to "7 and 1 2 acam I 04 rotatable albout'a vertical axis and arranged to engage a suitable cam roller Hi5 carried by the lever '88. The cam roller N15 is retained in engagement with the camlM by a tension spring Hi6 extending between the left-hand or free-end of the lever and a suitable anchorage I 01.

Means are provided for rotating the cam at' 'a substantially constant angular velocity. "For this purpose any suitable prime mover may beemp loyed. The one presently preferred as to the form of the in-Venti'onshown in Figs. l to 3 and 12 is of the constant speed electric motor type. As shown, there are two such motors 'IU'B ans Hi9, bothof which are connected to-dr'ive' t'he cam 1114 through suitable gears H0 and l'l l respectively, both meshing with a gear H2 carried rigidly with the cam 104 on a common shaft therewith. Each of the meters 108 and I09 may be of -*a known or conventional ty pey-such to:

wardor right hand endas seemin and q; example as th'oseshown in-the -patents to Wall- I lace and MacKay No. 2,181,841, and to MacKay No; 2,181,842, both granted November28, 1939. Other types of prime movers could, if desired, be used for this purpose, those referred to having been found to be eminently satisfactory. Each motor I08 and I09 is connected to its respectively associated gear H and III by-a spring ratchet arrangement diagrammatically illustrated at H3 and H4 respectively (see particularly Fig. 12).. The arrangement here provided is such that normally power will be supplied to both motors and both will drive'the cam Hit simultaneously. However, should one motor fail for any reason, the cam and ratchet arrangement H3 and Herespectively' associated therewith will act as a free wheeling device, permitting the good motor to .drive the cam without, at the same time, being required to rotate the rotor of motor which has failed. While electric motors are specifically contemplated for use on the device of the accompanying drawings, the purposes of th invention may be attained by the use of any suitable prime mover including those driven by other sources of power, such, for example, as spring or weight driven motors. Any suitable prime mover connected to drive a cam such as I04 at a substantially constant speed is to be considered within the purview of the present invention.

As shown in Fig. 12, the motors I08 and I09 are connectned across the power supply line 52 and 53 so that when the master switch 55 is closed, both motors will be placed in operation. While the electrical connections are not illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, it will be understood that they are suitably arranged substantially as diagrammatically shown in Fig. 12 and that power may be supplied to the entire apparatus through a junction or switch box generally illustrated at H5, Fig. 3. The master switch 55, if one is provided as shown, may be located in this box or at any other convenient point. If desired this switch may be operated by the amount of daylight in the vicinity by a sun switch apparatus of any type desired as those now in use in connection with unattended marine beacons. It is contemplated that any desired source of electrical power, including batteries or commercial power supply lines, may be employed for supplying the energy to operate the device as hereinabove described.

In Figs. 6 and 7 there is shown a slight modification of the apparatus wherein the action of the over-center-throw mechanism hereinabove described is in effect dispensed with and the levers 88 and 8t arranged for movement substantially as a unit and directly by the cam I04. For this purpose, the lever 9i may be provided with a laterally and downwardly extending arm H6 which carries a set screw I I? arranged to bear upon one side of the lever 88 and suitably adjustable to align these levers. Connected between a further depending portion of the arm H6 and an arm dependingfrom the lever 88 is a tension Spring H8 constantly urging the lever 88 into contact with the set screw I I7. This arrangement will tend to keep the arms 88 and ill in a predetermined position in respect to each other. Under these circumstances, thespring I00 is unnecessary and is normally removed.

In operation the position of the lever 88 may be directly controlled by' the cam I04, while the limits of movement of the arm SI, carrying the mirror-reflector, is determined by the stop screws 94 and 95, independently of a possible additional movement in either or both directions of the lever 88 by the cam I04. For example, at the furthermost counter-clockwise position of the lever-SI and mirror-reflector 42, the position of these parts may be determined by the stop screw even though the cam roller I05 is not then incontact with the small diameter portion of the cam I04. At the other or clockwise position of the parts, the cam roller I05 may be moved to an extreme position by a high'point or zone of the cam I04. If, however, this position is further in a clockwise direction than the limit of movement of the lever 9| as determined by the'stop screw 94, the latter determines the position of the mirror and the lever 88 is permitted to move under the control of the cam, stretching the tensionspring I I8. For the purposes of this operation, the stop screws I02 and I03 will normally be backed off to inoperative positions so as not to have any effect in controlling the movement of the parts.

Referring now to the form of the invention shown in Figs. 15 to 18 inclusive, there isprovided an apparatus for the same general pur pose as the form previously described, the arrangement differing essentially in that the means which operate to move the mirror-reflector 42 from one side to the other include a pair of opposed solenoids, preferably arranged in conjunc tion with a holding means so that once the mirror-reflector is moved to one of its terminal positions, both solenoids may be de-energized and the mirror-reflector retained against accidental displacement at the position to which it is moved.

The arrangement for mounting the mirror-reflector for this form of the invention is essentially the same as that previously described with the exception that there is no lever corresponding to the lever 88, while the mirror-reflector 42 and its supports are mounted upon a lever H9 which corresponds generally in function to that of the lever 9| hereinabove described and similarly cooperates with a sector I20 corresponding generally to the sector 93 and being similarly graduated. The lever I I0 may be provided with a bumper means I2I arranged to engage one or the other of a pair of stop screws I22 and I23 corre-' sponding respectively in function to the stop screws 94 and 95 and similarly carried by suitable brackets extending upwardly from the base 84, this base being given the same number as above for purposes of convenience. Suitably supported from the base 84 as by'a bracket I24 are a pair of opposed solenoids I25 and I26. These solenoids as shown are on different levels for convenience of construction and have their respective armatures connected to a part moving with the mirror-reflector by flexible metal strips I21 and I28 respectively, the armatures in these cases being concentric with the solenoid coils. Each of the strips I27 and I28 is shown connected with a part of the mirror base by a screw or similar fastening means I29 arranged at a point distant'from the respectively associated solenoid. Each solenoid is arranged when energized to draw its associated strip I21 or I28 inwardly, i. e. toward the solenoid ener: gized. I In this case electrical energy for energizing the respective solenoids is controlled by a pair of cam operated switches generally indicated at I30for the solenoid I25 and I3I for the solenoid I26 (Fig. 18). These switches are respectively con trolled by a pair of cams I32 and I33, both mounted upon the shaft of a substantially constant speed prime mover I34 which may be an electric motor of .the same type as the motors I08 and I09 hereinabove described. Thus referring to Fig. 18, the motor I34 is connected across the supply lines 52 and 53 which are energized whenever the master switch 55 is closed. This will rotate the shaft carrying cams I32 and I33 continuously and at a substantially constant speed. As shown, the switch I30 is closed by its associated cam I32 which would serve to energize the coil of solenoid I25 to move the mirror-reflector 42 from the position shown in Fig. 18 in a clockwise direction to its other terminal position. The reverse action would take place when the mirror-reflector is at its other position and'the solenoid I26 is energized by the closing of the switch I31 by its associated cam I33.

In order that power need not be supplied to one or the other of the solenoids continuously, which is important where a device of the character described is operated by batteries rather than a commercial source of power, means are provided for holding the mirror-reflector and associated means in either of their terminal positions when both solenoids are deenergized. For this purpose the lever I I9 carries therebeneath a member I35 of magnetic material such as soft iron. Suitably supported upon the base 84 is a permanent magnet I36 which is U-shaped and has its ends or poles upturned as shown at I3! and I38. The member I35 may be suitably rotatably adjusted in respect to the lever II9, so that at the terminal positions of this lever, one end or the other of the member I35 will approach adjacent to, but preferably will not touch, one of the poles or ends I31 or I33 of the permanent magnet I36. As shown in Fig. 17 for example, the member I35 is adjacent to but not touching the magnet pole I38. The strength of this permanent magnet is such as to prevent undesired dislocation of the lever IIS and the mirror-reflector 42, while permitting the mirror-reflector to be moved from either of its terminal positions to the other upon the energization of the appropriate solenoid I25 or I26.

It is also contemplated that if desired a combination of toggle over-center-throw means as generally hereinabove described may be made with solenoid operation instead of cam operation so that the solenoids are effective to throw the toggle means over-center from one side to the other, While the toggle means per se serve to retain the parts in either of their terminal positions during dwell periods in which the solenoids may be both de-energized. This eliminates the necessity of using a magnetic holding means as shown at I35 to I38, Fig. 1'7, in conjunction with solenoid actuation.

It will be seen that by the means shown in connection with Figs. to 18 and cams I32 and I33 of the appropriate shape the beam may be swung from one side to the other and its dwell time at each of its positions predetermined in accordance with any desired programming schedule, which schedule is repeated at the ends of uniform time intervals. In this case the interval is that consumed by a single revolution of the cam shaft carrying cams I32 and I33. It will be understood that with the exception of the parts specifically described as to Figs. 15 to 18,

the remaining portions thereof may be the same as those described for the form of Figs. 1 to 3.

Referring now to Figs. 19 and 20 there is shown a form of the invention Where another element of the beam providing means other than the mirror-reflector hereinabovedescribed is oscillated, so a to direct the beam from one side to the other.

In this case, the mirror-reflector and the lens means are both held stationary but the source of light is oscillated in respect to both.

For this purpose, the center of illumination of the light source, here shown as an electric bulb I39, corresponds generally to the bulb 4I, but is arranged so that it will not be exactly in the focus of the mirror-reflector 42, but rather somewhat closer to the mirror-reflector than its focal point and arranged to oscillate from side to side. The mirror-reflector 42 instead of being mounted upon the lever 9| as in Figs. 1 to 3 is mounted upon a bracket means, which freely straddles the levers 9| and 88 and which is secured to the base 84 by bolts I40 or any other suitable means, portions of the bracket supporting the mirror being shown at I4I. In this form of the invention a pivot shaft I42 replaces in position and function the shaft 87 shown in Figs. 1 to 3 and is shown as arranged to be oscillated by means essentially the same as that particularly described in connection with that form of the invention. For this reason these means, to the extent shown, are given the same reference characters. Here the shaft I42 is arranged for rotation in respect to a stationary bracket portion I43 which corresponds to the bearing part of the bracket 86 shownin Fig. 1. I42 is itself oscillated by being pinned or otherwise secured to the lever 9| as at I144. At its lower end the shaft I42 is suitably secured to a carriage structure I45, which is provided with suitable rollers I46 resting upon a part of the base 84 or a hardened plate carried thereby. The carriage structure I45 has suitably secured thereto the lampchanger structure 5| which has a rotor portion 49 as previously described and may be essentially the same as that described in connection with Fig. 1, the major difference being that the entire lampchanger structure is here oscillated so as to oscillate the center of illumination of the active source of light shown as she bulb I39. It will be understood that the electrical leads to the lampchanger will be of some flexible character to permit of the movement thereof in any usual or known manner.

With the exception noted, the device of Figs. 19

and 20 is substantially the same as that of Figs. 1 to 3, the oscillation of the light source here being relied upon to effect a swinging of the beam and the mechanism for programming and actuating that swing being substantially the same as previously described. It will be understood also that a solenoid operated means as shown in and described in connection with Figs. 15 to 18 could be used to oscillate the carriage structure I45 of this form of the invention and that such a combination is to be considered as within the purview thereof.

, Referring now to Figs. 21 and 22 there is shown another form of the invention wherein the oscillation of a lens means is employed for effecting the swing of the beam, the light source and the mirror being maintained stationary. In this form of the invention there is shown a light source 4I carried by a lampchanger rotor 49, which is in turn rotatable in respect to a lampchanger structure 5|, essentially the same as previously described in respect to Figs. 1 to 3. The mirror in this case shown at I41 may be of a somewhat different contour than that shown at 42 in Figs. 1 to 3 andhereinabove described The shaft.

in that a substantially spherical mirror is contemplated for use in this form of the invention.- The lens means herein generally indicated at I48 preferably includes one or more optical elements for concentrating the beam in a desired spread area and thus is somewhat different as to the optical characteristics 'of the lens means than in previous forms of' the invention. However, inasmuch as lensmeans for effecting such desired results are known, they will not be here described in detail, it being understood that any lens means effective to" concentrate a beam from a light source located substantially at the center of curvature of a spherical mirror may be employed.

In -this case'the mirror 14! is suitably supported by theri'gid structure including bracket elements i i-t as in the case of the mirror 42 in the form shown'in Figs. 19 and 20: The actuating means in this case is efiective to' oscillate the :lensmeans i lfiabout the axis of a shaft I49 correspondinggenerally to the shaft 81 of the form of Figs. 1' to 3 and the shaft l42'of' Figs. 19 and '20. In this case, however,the shaft I49 may be held stationary and the hub portion of the lever 9i surrounding this shaft, provided with a specially shaped bracket extension I50. At its outer endthebracket extension I50 carries' a shaft l-El secured thereto as by a nut E52 or other suitable means, the shaftl5l in turn rigidly carrying a' supporting structure I53 by which the lens means M8 is carried.

Thu-s as the lever ill is oscillated by means shown as" substantially identical to that described forthe Figs. 1 to 3'form of the invention, the bracket, shaft and support means 150, l5! and 853 will be'correspondingly oscillated as a unit to oscillate the lens" means M8" in respect to both the source of li-ghtshown as the bulb 4i and the H-I'l-IIGK I-GT; This will eiT'ect a swing of the beam with the same results as hereinabove described Again it-will be understood that the solenoid actuating meansillustrated in Figs. 15 to 18 could be used, if-desired, with this form of the invention. 7 i r While there is shown but asimple stationary supportmeans li l 'for the lampchanger structure 5!, it. is contemplated that suitableadjustable. meansas shown in- Figs. 1 to 3 and 8*to11 and described. in detail in connection therewith may if desired. be employed.

Referring. nowto the form of the invention shown in Figs. 23 and 24, there is provided an apparatus essentially similar to that of Figs. 21 and 22 with the exception that herethe mirror as well as the lenslmeans is oscillated; Thus the mirror and the lens means are simultaneously and bodily oscillated asv a unit,-both in respect to the light source, which in this case is stationary as in, the form shown in Figs. 21 and 22 and described in. connectiontherewith. Here again a substantially spherical mirrorl4! is'shown as in the form shown in Figs; 21. and 22. If desired, howevena' parabolic form of mirror couldbe used as shown and described for Figs. 1-3 and 15-18. The lensifmeans and the parts for moving itfare given the same numbers as in the case of Figs. 21 and 22' due to their essential similarity. Substantiallythe only difierence in this case from the form of Figs. 21 and 22'is that the mirror Ml isheremounted directly upon a part of the lever=91l :rather than upon a Sta-- 20' tionary support as in the-case of Figs. 2'1 and 22'. As between these two forms, i. e. Figs. 21 and 22 on the one hand and Figs. 23 and 24 on the other, the latter is usually preferred as the op-- tical characteristics of the beam in its oscilla tion are maintained under better control. On the other hand it is contemplated that either of these forms will be effective in use. Similarly this form of the invention may also employ a solenoid actuating means as disclosed in Figs. 15 to 18.

In Figs. 25 and 26 there is illustrated a form of the invention'wherein single source of light shown at llii is employed in conjunction with a means for collecting light from this source and directing it as a beam. In this case this means is illustrated as a parabolic mirror ill and the beam of light indicated by broken lines H2.

The light source H0 may be one of a plurality of electric bulbs mounted on a lampchanger gen erally indicated at H3 which may be of the same type as illustrated in Fig. 1 at l9-5l, and may be suitably mounted upon a base as particularly described for the lampchanger in Fig. 1 et seq.

Means are provided in conjunction with this form of the invention for changing the direction at which the light beam is projected by a sub stantially right angle and then for oscillating the beam by varying this angular change in direction. For this purpose there is illustrated a plane or other suitably shaped mirror l-l l which may be suitably mounted by a bracket I15 on a lever such as that shown at 9!. The lever 9! may be mounted and oscillated in the sam way as the correspondingly numbered element of the Fig, 1 form of the invention. The parts similar to those of Fig. 1 et seq. are given the same reference numbers. It is contemplated, however, that any suitable means for oscillating the mirror I'M may be employed, including a plain cam operation, without the necessity of the interposition of an over-center-throw mechanism as herein shown, or alternatively, a solenoid operated oscillating means as shown and described, for example, in connection with Figs. l5'to 18 inclusive.

With the arrangement shown, th mechanism used for oscillating the mirror W4 may be relatively light in construction as the mirror itself is relatively light in weight and hence requires little power to move it. In addition to this, due to the well-known laws of light reflection, it is necessary only to oscillate the mirror through half the angle through which the beam itself is oscillated. This may be taken into'account by a suitable graduation of the scale shown. at I16 in such a way that th indici on this scale serve to indicate the actual degrees through which the beam from the entire apparatus is oscillated rather than the degrees through'which the mir'- ror lid is oscillated;

While the arrangement shown in Figs; 25 and 26 provides for a substantially chang in di-' rection of the light beam, this is not per se essential, as other degrees of angular change effected by a mirror or equivalent means for changing light directions may be employed within the purview of the present invention. Also, while but asingle change in direction of the'light' beam is here illustrated, multiple changes may be employed if desired following th principles herein generally taught. Furthermore, while the .arrangement here shown is to' direct the original beam indicated by'thelines H2 inv a'zhorizontal direction, the original beam direction may be vertical or at some other angle if desired and one or more mirrors or other light beam direction changing means suitably disposed to project the beam from the apparatus in the desired direction.

Further, if it be desired, the mirror 114 may be given such a configuration as to control the spread of the resulting beam. In this way, the use of the spread light lenses 44 and 45 may be dispensed with.

While the device in its various forms has been described primarily as one for use in guiding ships over navigable waters, it is specifically contemplated that apparatus of this same general type could be used for guiding persons or vehicles across essentially trackless areas such as those in a desert country. Furthermore, apparatus of this kind could be employed in guiding airplanes either along a course or toward a landing, considering the direction of guidance as generally lateral or in a horizontal plane so as to indicate to a pilot of an airplane whether he is in a desired course or channel or to one side or the other thereof laterally. On the other hand, it is further contemplated that if desired, apparatus substantially in accordance with the present invention could be mounted at substantially right angles to that in which the present device is particularly arranged as herein shown, so as to indicate deviations from a desired channel in a vertical plane. If then the desired channel were, for example, an inclined glide path to be employed by airplanes in descending to a landing at an airport, a device according to the present invention could be used to indicate to the pilot whether he was above or below the desired glide path at any instant. Any such use or others for which the apparatus of the present invention is reasonably susceptible and the method of using it are to be considered within the purview of the present invention and within the scope of the appended claims, which are to be construed validly, as broadly as the state of the prior art permits.

I claim:

1. Single station range light apparatus for visually indicating to an observer his position in respect to the center of a predetermined channel, comprising at least one source of visible light located substantially in a vertical plane containing the center of said channel and substantially in prolongation thereof, light beam directing means associated therewith for directing beams therefrom with their center lines in predetermined directions and having predetermined restricted lateral angular spread about said center lines down each side of said channel respectively, said light beam directing means including lens means for predetermining the lateral spread of said beams, means for independently adjustably locating the sector illuminated by each of said beams by adjustably varying the position of said center lines in coordination with the center and lateral outside safe limits of said channel to restrict said beams to predetermined portions of said channel considered safe for use, and programming means independent of said locating means for automatically controlling the time periods during which a visible light beam is directed down one side of said channel and for similarly controlling substantially complementary time periods during which a visible light beam is directed down the other side of said channel, said programming means being constructed and arranged to provide dissimilar and characteristic intermittent periods of illumination and darkness on opposite sides of said channel respectively, whereby an observer may visually ascertain on which side of the center of said channel he is located.

2. Single station range light apparatus for visually indicating to an observer his position in respect to the center of a predetermined channel, comprising a single source of visible light located substantially in a predetermined plane containing the center of said channel and substantially in prolongation thereof in said plane, light beam directing means associated with said light source for restricting the area of illumination thereof to a predetermined relatively narrow zone in a lateral direction, perpendicular to said plane, means for relatively moving said light source and at least a part of said light beam directing means to swing said beam back and forth between a first position in which it is directed down one side of said channel with the center of said beam on one side of the center of said channel, and a second position in which it is directed down the other side of said channel with the center of said beam on the other side of the center of said channel, means for adjustably limiting said relatively moving means for controlling the amplitude of the swing of said beam between said two positions, thereof, fixed support means, and means adjustable in respect to said support means and independent of said adjustably limiting means for adjusting the position of said entire range light apparatus about a substantially vertical axis in respect to said support means so as to coordinate the position and amplitude of the area illuminated to the dimensions of the channel in respect to the location of said range light apparatus, and programming means for controlling the swinging of said beam from each of said positions to the other and for predetermining the periods of dwell at each of said positions independently of said adjustably limiting means to provide dissimilar and characteristic periods of illumination and darkness on the opposite sides of said channel respectively, whereby an observer may ascertain with only the naked eye on which side of the center of said channel he is located.

3. Single station range light apparatus for visually indicating to an observer his position in respect to the center of a predetermined channel, comprising a single source of visible light located substantially in a predetermined plane containing the center of said channel and substantially in prolongation thereof in said plane, light beam directing means associated with said light source for focusing the light from said source and directing it as a beam with the area of illumination thereof restricted to a predetermined relatively narrow zone about a center line of the beam and in a lateral direction perpendicular to said plane, means for relatively moving said light source and at least a part of said light beam directing means to swing said beam back and forth between a first position in which it is directed down one side of said channel with the center line of said beam on one side of the center of said channel, and a second position in which it is directed down the other side of said channel with the center line of said beam on the other side of the center of said channel, means for independently adjustably controlling the location of each of said positions so as to control the location of the illuminated sector 

